Footwear covert alarm and locator apparatus

• US 20060103538A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fele Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fele Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Daniel, Sayo Isaac
• Granted Patent: US 7,265,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/574
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

An alarm apparatus for footwear wherein the footwear includes a sole and a boot connected to the sole thereof. An alarm circuit for generating an alarm signal is positioned within and concealed by the sole of the footwear. An activation switch is positioned on an exterior surface of the boot and is electrically connected to the alarm circuit. Means for transmitting the alarm signal is connected to the alarm circuit. Upon activation of the alarm switch, the alarm signal is generated by the alarm circuit and transmitted by the transmitting means for receipt at a remote location thereby notifying a remote user that a local user is in distress.

Claims

1. A alarm apparatus comprising:

a) footwear comprising a sole and a boot connected to said sole;

b) an alarm circuit for generating an alarm signal positioned within and concealed by said sole of said footwear;

c) an activation switch, positioned on an exterior surface of said boot and electrically connected to said alarm circuit; and

d) means for transmitting said alarm signal connected to said alarm circuit;

wherein upon activation of said alarm switch, said alarm signal is generated by said alarm circuit and transmitted by said transmitting means for receipt at a remote location thereby notifying a remote user that a local user is in distress.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said alarm circuit comprises a circuit board having a processor positioned thereon and connected to said transmitting means, wherein said processor generates said alarm signal and provides said generated alarm signal to said transmitting means for transmission thereof.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said alarm circuit further includes a global positioning system transponder connected to said processor.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said global positioning system transponder provides a positional location of said local user to said processor and said generated alarm signal includes said positional location.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a monitoring body for receiving said generated alarm signal having said positional location and selectively notifying a responder that said local user is in distress.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said monitoring body is able to visually monitor the positional location of said local user based on the receipt of said generated alarm signal having said positional location.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical connection between said alarm switch and said alarm circuit are insulated copper wires.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a wiring harness for protecting said wires.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said wiring harness extends at least partially through said sole and said boot.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sole of said footwear protects said alarm circuit positioned therein.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said sole is able to absorb shock associated with at least one of walking and running.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cover hingedly connected to said boot for covering said alarm switch.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said cover is formed from a semi-rigid material for preventing inadvertent activation of said alarm switch.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said footwear is at least one of men'"'"'s footwear and women'"'"'s footwear.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said footwear is at least one of a sneaker, a shoe, a boot, a pump, and a loafer.