Internally Illuminated Footwear Component

Abstract

The sole section of a shoe includes a midsole and an outsole, with the midsole being made from a translucent material. An illumination system is located inside the translucent midsole, causing the translucent midsole to be internally illuminated when the illumination system is active. Due to the translucent nature of the midsole light from the illumination system reflects internally throughout the midsole, increasing illumination. The light will also illuminate adjacent translucent components, such as the outsole if it is also made from a translucent material. Light from the illumination system can be blocked, such as by an opaque outsole or colored mold injection, and used to form an illuminated design or logo. By blacking out or covering sections of the translucent midsole, shapes and letters of visible light can be created in the negative space of the obstruction sections. This allows illuminated designs to easily be incorporated into footwear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a footwear component with an internal illumination system and means of displaying graphics and designs by selectively covering light from the internal illumination system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Using light as an accessory to footwear is commonly employed and has been for some time. Shoes, sneakers or otherwise, have been given various arrangements of lighting systems to enhance visual appeal of the shoe, especially towards children. Often times the lights are external to the shoe, and serve as an accessory rather than an integral part of the shoe, simply lighting up the outside areas of the shoe. Generally, the lights do not internally illuminate the shoe, instead providing illumination external to the shoe.

[0003] While there are examples of footwear with internal lighting systems, current methods of lighting a shoe can still use improvement. Some solutions simply place a few lighting elements inside the...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0035]All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036]An internally illuminated footwear component comprises a sole section 1, an illumination system 2, and an illumination housing 3, shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The illumination housing 3 is located within the midsole area and is designed to receive the illumination system 2. Since the illumination system 2 is placed within the midsole area, the resulting footwear component is internally illuminated.

[0037]The sole section 1 further comprises a translucent midsole 11 and translucent outsole 12, which themselves are respectively positioned in the midsole area and an outsole area. In the preferred embodiment, this sole section 1 is molded as a single translucent component, as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The translucent midsole 11, which includes the illumination housing 3 illustrated ...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a footwear component with an internal illumination system and means of displaying graphics and designs by selectively covering light from the internal illumination system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Using light as an accessory to footwear is commonly employed and has been for some time. Shoes, sneakers or otherwise, have been given various arrangements of lighting systems to enhance visual appeal of the shoe, especially towards children. Often times the lights are external to the shoe, and serve as an accessory rather than an integral part of the shoe, simply lighting up the outside areas of the shoe. Generally, the lights do not internally illuminate the shoe, instead providing illumination external to the shoe.

[0003] While there are examples of footwear with internal lighting systems, current methods of lighting a shoe can still use improvement. Some solutions simply place a few lighting elements inside the...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0035]All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036]An internally illuminated footwear component comprises a sole section 1, an illumination system 2, and an illumination housing 3, shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The illumination housing 3 is located within the midsole area and is designed to receive the illumination system 2. Since the illumination system 2 is placed within the midsole area, the resulting footwear component is internally illuminated.

[0037]The sole section 1 further comprises a translucent midsole 11 and translucent outsole 12, which themselves are respectively positioned in the midsole area and an outsole area. In the preferred embodiment, this sole section 1 is molded as a single translucent component, as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The translucent midsole 11, which includes the illumination housing 3 illustrated ...

Images