Light-reflecting Or Illuminating Means Patents (Class 36/137)
  • Patent number: 7494237
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a shoe having an incorporated light source. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs composed of several light-emitting chips of at least two different colors wherein the plurality of LEDs being used to generate light of various color. The light source further includes a trigger controller for generating a trigger signal when vibrated and a control IC for generating a drive signal to control a lighting duration of each of the plurality of LEDs to emit a plurality of desired different illumination sequences of at least 2 different colors. The drive signal is activated by the trigger signal and the manual switch selects the plurality of desired programmed different sequential illumination of light sources from at least two programmed flash sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: James D. Cheung
  • Publication number: 20090031588
    Abstract: A shoe with an ultraviolet LED or LEDs in the insole and/or inside of the upper powered by a solar cell or solar cells on the outside of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: David I. Reuben
  • Patent number: 7481010
    Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper disposed on top of a shoe sole, a circuit board disposed in a heel portion of the shoe sole, one or more light members disposed in the front portion of the shoe sole, one or more further light member disposed in the rear portion of the shoe upper, one or more batteries coupled to the light members for energizing the light members, and a switch coupled between the battery and the light members for controlling the light members, the switch is disposed in the heel portion of the shoe sole and arranged for being depressed and actuated by a user. A manual switch may be coupled between the battery and the light members for selectively operating the light members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Chang Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7458172
    Abstract: An impact attenuating device includes both concave and convex side walls, e.g., in an interleaved arrangement, optionally at least partially surrounded by a restraining element that may help return the impact attenuating device back to its original orientation after attenuating an impact. Such impact attenuating devices may be included in pieces of footwear and/or other foot-receiving devices. Additionally, such impact attenuating devices or portions thereof may be freely selected and/or interchanged in a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device, e.g., based on one or more characteristics of an intended user and/or an intended use, so as to allow users to obtain footwear (or other devices) customized and targeted for use under a predetermined set of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Aveni
  • Publication number: 20080250672
    Abstract: A footwear unit having a pre-programmable, self-programmable and re-programmable display with a panel that is operably aligned with a window located on the outside surface of the footwear unit. The programmable display has two or more modes of operation for displaying information on the panel. Inside of the programmable display unit is a controller that controls the display of information on the panel. The controller also stores information or data that later be viewed on the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Brandon F. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20080196277
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a reflective outsole is disclosed. The article of footwear has an outsole including a reflective device that covers one or several portions of the outsole. The reflective device is composed of a thin and flexible material that does interfere with the natural flexibility of the outsole. The reflective device may extend over a substantial majority of a lower surface of the outsole, including a portion of the outer periphery of the outsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris
  • Patent number: 7409784
    Abstract: An electricity-producing shoe comprises a shoe body including an electricity-producing module and an electricity generator mounted therein. The electricity-producing module includes a rack, first and second gears, and a spring buffer that mounts between the first and second gears. The first and second gears are engaged with the rack and an axial gear of the electricity generator, respectively. The electricity generator has an electricity output terminal connected to an electric device of the shoe body. As a result, the rack drives the first gear and the second gear drives the axial gear of the electricity generator by means of normal stepping motion of walking for producing electric power and thereby supplying the electric power for the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Yeh
  • Patent number: 7404263
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided, particularly a soccer shoe, having one or more sensors mounted in the shoe upper which, when impacted by a ball, are effective to send a signal to a controller representative of the magnitude of the force with which the ball was struck by the shoe. A liquid crystal display, mounted within a housing which also carries the controller, provides a visual indication of the force of the ball strike which can be readily observed by the wearer of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: BBC International, LLC
    Inventor: Rudy Guzman
  • Patent number: 7404242
    Abstract: The invention is for a lace gripper comprising an upper body and a lower body that may be joined together whereby a tied lace is secured between the two bodies. Preferable the upper body is designed to receive inserts, charms, lights, recording devices, alarm and locating audible signals and locating devices, to allow the user to customize the lace gripper to their personal preference. The lace gripper can additionally be utilized to maintain a memo and would be secured to an object of daily use, such as a key ring or purse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Janelle Perler
  • Patent number: 7405674
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a plurality of light-emitting devices disposed on an object in a sequence includes a water-proof enclosure embedded in the object, a motion actuated switch, a controller, and a battery. The motion actuated switch is mounted within the enclosure, for triggering the controller in response to a motion of the object. Moreover, the controller is mounted within the enclosure, and electrically connected to the motion actuated switch and electrically connected to the light-emitting devices respectively, for driving the light-emitting devices lighting in a predetermined way when triggered by the motion actuated switch. Furthermore, the battery is mounted within the enclosure, for supplying the circuit with electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Shen Ko Tseng
  • Patent number: 7329019
    Abstract: An system for illuminating clothing and footwear, utilizing electro-luminescent light strips and LEDs, which are randomly illuminated according to the movement of the person wearing the article(s). In one embodiment illumination control is accomplished by a direct-current to alternating-current converter means and various types of switches. These switches may include a random pressure switch, a random or controlled sequencer, an orbiter random motion switch, or any suitable switch or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: James Cheung
  • Publication number: 20080005935
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a contactlessly-chargeable light-up shoe, which comprises: a shoe, at least one rechargeable battery, and at least one light-emitting element, wherein the shoe sole has a secondary coil, a magnetic core for the secondary coil, a regulator circuit, and a switch. The secondary coil terminals are sequentially connected with the regulator circuit, the rechargeable battery, the switch and then the light-emitting elements via wires, and the abovementioned elements are airtightly encapsulated with a plastic material. The present invention has the advantages of airtightly encapsulating all the electronic elements inside a plastic material and contactlessly recharging the battery. Thereby, the present invention realizes a waterproof, dustproof and rustproof contactlessly-chargeable light-up shoe, which can flicker or emit light continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Shyong CHYN
  • Patent number: 7310895
    Abstract: Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and/or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer's type of movement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Saunders N Whittlesey, Douglas K Robinson, John J Erickson
  • Patent number: 7277021
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining the wear of a sole of a shoe. The device includes first and second sensors receivable in the sole of the shoe. The sensors are axially spaced and generate signals in response to corresponding impact forces acting thereon. A control circuit is connectable to the first and second sensors. The control circuit compares the difference between the first and second signals to a threshold and generates an alert signal in response to the difference between the first and second signal meeting the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Brian E. Schwartz, Steven J. Pauls, Timothy D. Rand, Brant R. Kochsiek
  • Patent number: 7262557
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating footwear includes a circuit combining a switch having a resilient spring and a light sensitive switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Zhong Wang
  • Patent number: 7255468
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating shoes and fashion accessories includes a fiber optic cable, a clasp and a control circuit. The fiber optic cable has a first coupling point and a second coupling point. The clasp has a housing, a retention mechanism, a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is configured to couple to the first coupling point and the second connector is configured to couple to the second coupling point of the fiber optic cable. The control circuit is disposed within the housing and has a power source and at least one illuminating device. The illuminating device is optically coupled to one or both of the first and second connectors in order to illuminate at least a portion of the fiber optic cable with light. At least one of the clasp and the illuminating device is removable to permit interchangeable selectivity of the color of the illuminating light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Jonathan Capriola
  • Patent number: 7254910
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: BBC International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Guzman
  • Patent number: 7246455
    Abstract: The present invention provides a children shoe that enables children to put shoes on the right feet by matching up the shoe big toe to big toe or heel to heel before putting on the shoe. The smart shoe essentially comprises an engaging portion on the outside of shoe with a pressure activated switch that emits light when switch is pressed the smart shoe also comprises a circuit connected to a switch, a battery and speaker and microprocessor comprising a memory that enables an announcement or other distinctive sounds to be emitted from a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Larry Covington
  • Patent number: 7228649
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf alignment system that generates a visible, audible and/or tactile response indicating when a golfer is properly aligned with respect to an intended target line or to a golf ball. One embodiment includes a first shoe having at least one transmitter disposed on an instep portion thereof. A second shoe has at least one receiver disposed on an instep portion thereof. The receiver is activated by a signal from the transmitter when the first shoe is in a predetermined position relative to the second shoe. Activation of the receiver causes actuation of an indicator, such as a light emitting device which projects a visible reference line on the ground. The present invention is also directed to a method of aligning a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Deane Owen Elliott
  • Patent number: 7204045
    Abstract: A shoe includes a translucent sole, a translucent heel, a shoe body on top of the sole; and a light emitting device; the light emitting device includes a power source held in the heel, several light emitting elements held in the heel and between the sole and the shoe body, and secured on an outer side of the shoe body, a switch electrically connected to the power source and the light emitting elements such that the shoe will shine when the light emitting elements are powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 7181870
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: BBC International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Guzman
  • Patent number: 7114822
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: BBC International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Guzman
  • Patent number: 7096607
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: BBC International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Guzman
  • Patent number: 7083296
    Abstract: A flashing device includes two plates and each plate includes a plurality conductive lines printed thereon and a plurality of LEDs are connected to each of the two plates and electrically connected to the conductive lines. Two transparent isolation sheets sandwich the each plate and a plurality of lead wires are connected between the conductive lines and a control circuit which is connected to a switch device powered by a power supply. The LEDs light up when the switch such as a pressure switch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Chuan-Tai Chiang
  • Patent number: 7080468
    Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. A lighted visualization window provides a visualization window to the inner assembly. The inner assembly may include size markings through the visualization window so that a size of the adjusted shoe may be determined as shoe size is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Inchworm, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Miller, Byong M. Shin, Kwong Dong Chil
  • Patent number: 7059070
    Abstract: Illuminated footwear including a translucent sole insert housing LEDs, preferably of different colors which may be combined to produce a wide array of colors is provided. The heel similarly includes a translucent insert and includes an interior mirror material and an illumination source. An on/off switch in the toe of the footwear is connected in a circuit with a replaceable battery, a control processor and the LEDs. The control processor includes logic that may dim, strobe, or shut off all or some of the LEDs. In operation, when the device is activated, the LEDs are illuminated. The light from the individual LEDs is blended and reflected by the interior mirror materials in an outward direction from the shoe. The translucent material in the sole and heel of the shoe allows the blended light to pass through to create a pleasing visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Alina Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Omstead, Alina Gover
  • Patent number: 7032331
    Abstract: A heel has a body, a circuit board, multiple illuminating elements, an integrated circuit unit, a power source, a switch, a push button and a cover. The body is permeable to light and has a recess. The circuit board is received in the recess. The illuminating elements are mounted on the circuit board. The integrated circuit unit is mounted on the circuit board and is electrically connected to the illuminating elements. The power source is electrically connected to the illuminating elements through the integrated circuit unit. The switch is electrically connected between the power source and the integrated circuit unit. The push button abuts against the switch to actuate the switch when the push button is pushed. The cover is attached to the body and has a bore defined through the cover for the push button extending out from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Cheng-Yang Tsai
  • Patent number: 6991342
    Abstract: Described herein is footwear and an inner sole for footwear, supplied with a lighting system that emits light at each step of the person who is wearing them only for the time necessary to see the path in front, and to turn off when he stops; and a lighting device for footwear supplied with means of fastening to footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: C & C Design S.r.l.
    Inventor: Cindy Gonet
  • Publication number: 20040255490
    Abstract: An article of apparel (1, 601) has a chamber (9, 605) and a light source (11, 607) for illuminating the chamber with Light. The chamber (9) contains particles (900) which can scatter or reflect light from the light sources and has a window (9a) through which the effect of the particles (900) on the light from the light sources (11) can be viewed. Alternatively, the chamber (605) contains a light affecting means (606, 901, 1001) for reflecting, refracting or diffracting light from the light source (607). The light affecting means (606, 901, 1001) is moved by a hydraulic system (800) or vibrates in response to motion of the article of apparel (601).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Kin Yip Wan, Leo Charles Singleton, Christopher Jon Ford, David Bernard Mapleston
  • Patent number: 6789913
    Abstract: A multifunctional shoe flashing device includes at least one casing, at least one battery, a substrate, a conductive wiring, a lighting device, an oscillation switch, and a control circuit. The conductive wiring has one end connected to the substrate and the other end protruding from the casing and connecting to the lighting device, which includes three lighting chips. When the casing is affected due to external forces, the control circuit is triggered to activate flashing of the lighting device in a sequential and non-overlapping manner within a predetermined time period by setting predetermined mixed color and time ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Meng Pi Wei
  • Publication number: 20040172856
    Abstract: A role-playing shoe comprising a shoe body having a heel portion. A switch is mounted on the heel portion and a light and a speaker are included in the shoe body. An integrated circuit housed within the shoe body and electrically coupled to the switch, the light, and the speaker, lights the light and sounds the speaker upon actuation of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Tek Nek Toys International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Horchler, Damian Mucaro
  • Publication number: 20040159022
    Abstract: A footwear kit having a hand-held remote controller and footwear with a sole comprising remotely controlled front and rear rotating discs coupled along a lateral side of the sole. The front and rear rotating discs provide an appearance of rotating wheels when rotating. The footwear and discs provide an illusion of a vehicle or hot rod. The kit may further include a carry case with a rotatable disc remotely controlled simultaneously with the front and rear discs. In an alternative embodiment, the kit may include a pump to inflate an inflatable chamber in the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Quin Winford, Phillip Coleman
  • Patent number: 6776498
    Abstract: Footwear or foot-driven articles with speed threshold indicative luminous signal generator in which luminous signals are emitted when the motion speed of the footwear or the foot-driven article has reached a pre-determined threshold. The luminous signals above the threshold can be varied according to the speed above that threshold in a pre-determined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Kwok Piu Yeung
  • Patent number: 6754985
    Abstract: A marker shoe is fixed to its middle sole by insertion a decoration stripe or a reflective alert stripe; an arc recess being provided on the middle sole and two or more than two insertion holes in given depth being provided at the bottom of the recess to fix the stripe with pile heads to prevent the stripe from falling off and to offer easy replacement among various types of stripes as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Erik Lin, Kuei-Yun Lu
  • Publication number: 20040114353
    Abstract: Footwear having a vessel containing light-scattering reflective devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly adapted to be worn on a user's foot includes a footwear device, and an at least partially transparent vessel attached to an outer surface of the footwear device. The vessel scalably contains a suspension medium. One or more reflective devices are disposed within the suspension medium. The footwear device may be a sneaker, a boot, a slipper, or any other suitable article of footwear. The reflective devices scatter light throughout the surrounding environment, attracting attention, increasing the user's enjoyment, and improving the visibility of the footwear device, especially in low light situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas A. Romeo
  • Publication number: 20040103563
    Abstract: Footwear having a sole and an upper foot portion arranged for connection to the sole. An electrical lighting arrangement for the footwear includes an electrically operable light attached to the footwear, a self-contained power source for the light and an electric circuit connecting the power source to the light. The circuit including a means for activating the light source. The circuit is sound activated for initially activating the light and the light is deactivated after a determined period of time and remains on when the circuit senses motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Julie E. Linge
  • Patent number: 6742908
    Abstract: For regularly encounterable walking shoes environments typically having a treaded lower-base and an overlying foot-rest surface, disclosed herein are visual warning devices respectively extending loftily vibratorily helically above the foot-rest surface and topically carrying a visually bright ornamental feature. The bright ornamental feature (preferably of bulbous shape) is alternatively provided as: of self-luminescent characteristic; or alternatively, as an electrically-powerable incandescent bulb powerable from a chemical storage-battery that is rearwardly removably attachable to the walking shoe environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Todd A. Bland
  • Publication number: 20040098884
    Abstract: The shoe night light apparatus includes a shoe or slipper body having an exterior surface defining an open area for receiving a foot of a wearer. The shoe night light is a device to provide illumination when the shoe is placed on the foot. The shoe night light has a sensor/switch in the sole of the shoe designed to turn on and off the light when the shoe is placed on and taken off the foot. The shoe night light has batteries or replaceable batteries inside the material of the shoe to provide power to the light. The shoe night light has a light source such as light emitting diodes or light bulb to provide illumination. The shoe night light can also have a photo sensor to detect darkness and turn on the light when in a darkened area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Aryk Swan
  • Publication number: 20040100792
    Abstract: More and more people are taking the plunge to participate in outdoor sports such as inline skating, ice skating, running and biking. Unfortunately, sometimes these activities may take place at night, where the pathway may not be very visible nor the person participating in the outdoor sport. Thus, a novel lighting apparatus is proposed that facilitates easy installation and removal from various types of footwear articles. The novel lighting apparatus provides an illuminated spot in front of an individual as well as provides for visibility of the individual to others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Alexander Trzecieski
  • Publication number: 20040032734
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a touch-sensitive flickering illuminant, which comprises a soft plastic body and an operation circuit embedded in the body. The body further comprises a plate with a conducting sheet, the plate is deployed in the center inside the body and a lower cover; the operation circuit is embedded in the holding space between the plate and the lower cover, and after the operation circuit is sealed with high frequency wave or glue, the on-off illuminant groupware is formed after an outer press plate touches the operation circuit via the conducting sheet; and the plate of the flickering illuminant can be various vignettes or enterprise identification signs, and can be widely used in business with the combination of various goods in appropriate manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Bo-Zong Chen
  • Patent number: 6681504
    Abstract: A footwear the entire appearance simulates the appearance of a reptile preferably a chameleon reptile. The footwear can be a slipper, preferably a children's slipper, having a stuffed body adapted to simulate the appearance of //a// the chameleon reptile. The outer surface of the slipper body is covered with a green skin simulating imbricating reptile plates having an open protruding reptile mouth embracing a retractable tongue. An inner horizontal air pad sole cushions the child's foot and controls the expansion and deflating of the reptile tongue and activates a foot switch of a battery powered electric system which controls a pair of opposing reflector eye lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Albert J. Kinan
  • Publication number: 20030208933
    Abstract: A footwear includes an outsole defining a reference plane, a stand projecting from the outsole and having an inclined upper surface that is inclined relative to the reference plane, a power generator mounted on the outsole and including a rotor, and a driving unit including a weight that has a pivot end mounted pivotally on the inclined upper surface, and a free end opposite to the pivot end. The weight is connected to the rotor, and is swingable by virtue of gravity as a result of swinging of the inclined upper surface of the stand so as to drive the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Chih-Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 6646547
    Abstract: A light-producing warning device for skateboard includes a case connected to an underside of a deck of the skateboard for accommodating batteries; a control circuit unit mounted in the case to electrically connect to the batteries and including a switch; a cover closing the case and having a push button provided thereat corresponding to the switch on the control circuit unit; at least one light-emitting element attached to an outer periphery of the deck and connected to wires extended from the switch; and at least one light-transferring strip connected to the light-emitting element and fixed to the outer periphery of the deck with fixing nails and having a plurality of through holes spaced thereon. By pushing the push button to touch the switch, light is emitted by the light-emitting element to pass through the light-transferring strip and form light spots on the spaced through holes to provide good warning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Top Rank Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-pang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20030188457
    Abstract: A new and improved footwear the entire appearance simulates the appearance of a reptile preferably a shameleon reptile. The footwear can be a slipper, preferably a children's slipper, having a stuffed body adapted to simulate the appearance of a chameleon reptile. The outer surface of the slipper body is covered with a green skin simulating imbricating reptile plates having an open protruding reptile mouth embracing a retractable tongue. An inner horizontal air pad sole cushions the child's foot and controls the expansion and deflating of the reptile tongue and activates a foot switch of a battery powered electric system which controls a pair of opposing reflector eye lamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Albert J. Kinan
  • Publication number: 20030145494
    Abstract: A lightening device for a shoe having a receiving portion provided in the heel of the shoe body, the receiving portion is covered with an openable lid, a driving assembly is received in the receiving portion, a plurality of electro-luminescent pieces connecting with the driving assembly are provided in a transparent instep of the shoe. Thereby, the battery in the driving assembly can make the electro-luminescent pieces always lighten; a control circuit controls the effect of steady lightening or flashing of the electro-luminescent pieces. Particularly, when the battery is exhausted, a user can lift the lid to expose the driving assembly to change for a new battery, after that, the lightening device can be activated again to lighten when the lid is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Tai Ping Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030126769
    Abstract: A shoe sole includes one or more openings formed in the peripheral portion for receiving one or more light devices. The light device each includes a circuit board received in a casing and having a switch, and one or more light bulbs. One or more batteries are coupled to the light bulbs for energizing the light bulbs. A cap is detachably secured to each of the casings with peripheral flanges or ribs or with threads, and includes a tube for being forced to engage with the switch and to actuate and energize the light bulbs when the cap is depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Bor Jong Chen
  • Patent number: 6578291
    Abstract: The invention provides a shoe having a built-in, electronic wear indicator device capable of signaling (a) extent of shoe sole wear, (b) loss of ability to cushion and absorb shock, and (c) a need to replace the shoe. The wear indicator device comprises (a) a sensor and microprocessor which can measure and report the use history of the shoe, (b) a wear indicator display which shows the consumer the current point in the shoe's life cycle and (c) a power source. The wear indicator device is installed between the midsole and outsole during the manufacturing process and is therefore, built-in and unobtrusive to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: John Hirsch, Joshua Horwitz, Ron Zolla
  • Publication number: 20030070324
    Abstract: A system and method for producing an electronic image or message in moving footwear by the synchronous flashing of lights in an array. A shoe is provided having at least one array or lights visible on the exterior of the shoe. Within the shoe is circuitry that monitors when the shoe is in motion. By monitoring the change in pace in the stride of a person wearing the shoe, subsequent strides can be predicted. The lighting of the lights in the arrays is synchronized to the predicted strides just prior to that stride. As such, the lighting of the light arrays is synchronized to a stride when it occurs. By synchronizing the light arrays to a person's stride, images can be created on the footwear that would be comprehendible to any person watching the footwear on a moving person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6539646
    Abstract: A footwear sole is provided that comprises a first layer and a display element integral with the first layer. The first layer has a lower surface and an upper surface and is at least semi-transparent such that the display element is observable through the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Brooks, Allen G. Sheets
  • Patent number: 6457261
    Abstract: A midsole comprises a heel cup having a semi-rigid upper plate, a lower plate composed of a material that is softer than the upper plate, and at least one telescopic shock absorber between the upper and lower plates. The telescopic shock absorbers have one portion that collapses into a second portion when the shock absorber is loaded or compressed. On release of the load, the shock absorbers of the invention return only a controlled portion of the compressive load originally applied. A second embodiment has a translucent heel cup and shock absorbers and a lamp for illuminating the heel cup and shock absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: LL International Shoe Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Crary